Langston University is making a one-stop shop for enrollment-related student services.
The departments of recruitment, admissions & outreach, academic advisement and financial aid will now fall under one umbrella for enrollment services. This change is geared towards increasing the number of students enrolled each year.
Heath Burge, head of the recruitment, admissions & outreach, academic advisement and financial aid, is optimistic about the changes in enrollment management at Langston University.
The intent for the enrollment management reconstruction was to put all departments dealing with getting first-time, returning, and transfer students enrolled all in one.
This change is backed by a strategy created by Burge and his team to increase enrollment rates. “I envision a data-driven model, if you will, with intentionality as the focus. A model that’s very similar to what many other schools across the country have adopted,” said Burge.
The enrollment management team is making efforts to execute the model that is being adopted so the institution can start reaping the benefits.
“We are getting out to high school fairs, we are getting out to recruitment fairs that are regional … We are traveling,” Burge said. “Our goal is 650 first-time entering students. I am confident that there are several implications that went into that number. I think and I believe wholeheartedly that we can meet and we can exceed that goal, but I also believe that it’s going to take a collective effort.”
In the fall 2022 semester, the enrollment for first-time freshmen was 548 students.
Theresa Powell, the vice-president for operations, explained how the enrollment management reconstruction was a strategic decision. “Admissions and recruitment were sort of one silo, and advising was in its own silo … What we decided to do, as a strategic decision, was to combine those,” Powell said.
Both Burge and Powell expressed excitement for the new department. The enrollment management team is working on finding ways to increase enrollment.
“I think utilizing and leveraging the advisors is going to be a helpful strategy … Maybe they can go to high schools as well and start to meet with guidance counselors and potentially meet with students,” Powell said.
Dr. Carlos Robinson used to be in charge of recruitment and bringing new students to Langston University. He was recently let go from his position at Langston University.
Brooklyn Stewart, a senior corrections and criminal justice major, gave insight into how Robinson impacted her.
“Recently there has been a lot of staffing changes,” said Stewart. “Dr. Robinson was more like a warm presence and he was definitely needed for recruitment. I came here all the way from Atlanta, Georgia and I don’t think I would’ve come had I had a different person recruiting me.”
Langston University is headed in a new direction according to an announcement email. This direction, while causing the termination of one employee, has caused people to take on new responsibilities and duties that they hope will increase enrollment by over 100 students.
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